What's In My Pool Bag?

I know, I'm a little late with this, but better than never, right?  

Yep, I'm in the good ole Midwest, so it's a pool bag, not a beach bag.  :(  But, it is what it is.  I love the Midwest regardless! 

Disclaimer:  I'm definitely an over achiever, so I probably have too much in my pool bag, but I always want to be prepared.  I can also tell you that I've used EVERYTHING in my bag more than once and most things are used every time I go to the pool. 

For whatever reason I love watching YouTube videos or reading blogs about what other people pack in their pool/beach bags. I pretty much go to the subdivision pool or Hurricane Harbor (HH) every single day (from 10:30 am - 4:00 pm), so here's what I pack every day.  

• Six Flags Season Pass (for HH) or Subdivision Pool Key
• Swimsuit (not pictured)
• Flip Flops (not pictured)
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Hawaiian Tropic (HT) Oil Free Faces Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30
• HT Dark Tanning Lotion with Sunscreen SPF 4
• HT Silk Hydration After Sun Lotion
• Urban Decay (UD) b6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray
• Magazines/Book 
• Water/Gatorade (not pictured)
• Makeup Bag
• Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes
• Kleenex
• Q-tips
• Hair ties
• Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops
• Maybelline Baby Lips Sunscreen SPF 20 Lip Balm
• Tampons
• Contact Solution
• Deodorant (not pictured)
• Biolage Fortifying Leave-in Treatment
• Comb 
• Waterproof radio
• Cell Phone in waterproof container

First and foremost, I keep my Six Flags Season Pass or Subdivision Pool key in the front pocket of my pool bag.  Naturally, you're gonna need a swimsuit, flip flops, towel and sunglasses.  But, the most important thing is your sunscreen!  I am a huge fan of all Hawaiian Tropic products (obviously).  They seem to work wonders for me.  I use the HT Oil Free Faces Sheer Sunscreen for my face (blatantly obvious) and for my shoulders.  Then, on my stomach/back, legs and arms, I use the HT Dark Tanning Lotion.  I prefer lotion over oil because oil just plain makes me feel icky!  Seeing as how we usually go to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, I use the HT Silk Hydration After Sun Lotion right before I change into my clothes to go ride roller coasters.  I love this stuff!  Unlike other aloe gel/lotions, you can't even feel it on your skin.  It doesn't feel thick and grimy...and it really takes the heat out of your skin.  Again, I love it!  Throughout the day, to refresh, I spritz my face with the UD b6 Prep Spray.  That's my skincare for pool days.  I also bring along some of my Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes to remove any makeup or just to cleanse my face after lying in the sun all day.  

To avoid complete and utter boredom, I bring magazines or a book to read.  Next, I always bring one large bottle of Smart Water and one bottle of Gatorade to stay hydrated all day.  This actually gets me through the day. 

I always include a makeup bag with some small necessities.  Kleenex because I'm the queen of allergies in this allergy-ridden city and my nose constantly runs while I'm at the pool.  Q-tips to soak up water in my ears (no, I don't shove the thing all the way down my ear canal LOL).  I usually have hair ties with me at all times...and I mean ALL TIMES.  Since I wear contacts, I always need eye rewetting/lubricant drops.  I went without those drops once and let me tell you...OUCH!!  It felt like glass shards were in my eyes.  Nope.  Next, let's talk about lips.  I don't know about you, but my lips always get chapped when I'm out in the sun...hence the Baby Lips Sunscreen Lip Balm.  I adore Baby Lips (all of them) and I especially love the Sunscreen Lip Balm.  It is so sheer but hydrating at the same time.  Can't live without.  Of course, I keep at least two tampons with me for emergency situations.  :)  

Finally, we have contact solution in case my contacts fall out (trust me, it's happened); deodorant for obvious reasons; Biolage Fortifying Leave-in Treatment because my hair becomes uber knotty after being in chlorine all day and a comb to comb it through (this leaves my hair soft and smooth for the rest of the day); a waterproof radio to help combat boredom after I'm sick of reading for the day and last but not least, my lifeline - my cell phone.  

I know, I probably over pack seeing as how my shoulder kills me after walking all the way to the pool or water park, but eh.  I seriously use all of this stuff. 

I hope this helps you pack your bag.  

XOXO

Ulta Haul

Happy Saturday peeps!  Because it is entirely too hot for me to hang out outside all day while the hubby is power-washing the fence, I decided to post my little, itsy bitsy, Ulta haul (with a few necessities from Wal*Mart).  I know this is a sensitive subject because for some reason when you post hauls people assume you are bragging.  But, whatever, I'm not (trust me, I don't have anything to brag about).  The main reason I post hauls is because I love watching others' YouTube videos or blog posts about their hauls.  Yes, I stalk.  :)  Do you like hauls?  Let me know in the comment section below.  

Ok, so the whole reason I went to Ulta yesterday is because they were having the sale on jumbo shampoos and conditioners.  Kenra jumbo was $15.99.  So, I headed to the store with the intent of just buying shampoo and conditioner...oh who the hell am I kidding?  Who goes to Ulta with the intent of just buying shampoo and conditioner?  Definitely not this girl.  I think I was actually using this sale as an excuse to head on over because I normally have my mom (a licensed cosmetologist) go to State Beauty Supply and buy everything at cost.  So...anyway.  Here we go. 

  
Products Purchased at Ulta: 

1. Kenra Color Maintenance Shampoo (33.8 fl. oz./Liter) (FWP:  free pump)
2. Kenra Color Maintenance Conditioner (33.8 fl. oz./Liter) (FWP:  free pump)
3. Urban Decay b6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray (4.0 fl. oz.)
4. Urban Decay Electric Palette
5.  Smashbox Full Exposure (Bonus: Full Exposure Mascara)
6. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes Refill
7. OPI Nail Lacquer in Black Onyx

 Free Samples from Ulta: 

1. bareMinerals Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara
2. It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product

Products Purchased at Wal*Mart

1. Olay Daily Moisture Body Wash (23.6 fl. oz.)
2. Salon Perfect Professional Nail Lacquer in Sugar Cube
3. Swisspers 100% Cotton Rounds

Ulta 1 & 2 - Kenra Color Maintenance Shampoo & Conditioner:

This is the exact reason I originally headed to Ulta yesterday.  I have loved Kenra products since the days of old...OK, so maybe just since the 90's, but that's the olden days to me now.  :)  I try to mix up my shampoo/conditioner brands every time I buy new.  I feel like my hair starts to "get used" to a certain product or brand and starts to act yucky.  It starts feeling weighed down, stringy and just plain ugly.  So, my last purchase was Biolage and this time it's Kenra.  You'll learn one thing about me, I buy hair products based on fragrance alone.  I know, probably not the smartest reason, but that's me.  And, let's just face it, Kenra smells awesome!!  Am I right?  Anyway, the Color Maintenance Shampoo is supposed to be a "gentle formula to help preserve color" according to the bottle.  The Color Maintenance Conditioner is a "silk protein conditioner for color-treated hair".  I love this conditioner because my hair is so dry and damaged from coloring and highlighting and Kenra makes my hair shinier, softer and stronger. Agh!  I forgot to mention the free pump with any jumbo purchase.  Even though the pumps are only $3, I felt like I was getting away with something, LOL. 

Ulta 3 -  Urban Decay b6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray:
  
By Skindinavia

"Give your skin a quick hit of vitamins and calm a multitude of sins".  This prep spray is supposed to reduce redness, minimize pores and absorb oil.  To Use:  "Shake well.  Apply to clean skin before moisturizer or makeup.  Hold bottle 8"-10" away and mist face several times.  Can also be used anytime to refresh skin or at night before your treatment."  Honestly, I didn't even know I wanted this until I was staring at it.  Especially during the summer, I'm always looking for ways to feel refreshed or cooler.  I figured I'd try this mainly at night before my moisturizer but also in the morning before my lotion and makeup.  I tried it last night.  I washed my face and then misted with the b6.  My face felt soooo clean!  I loved it so much that I almost didn't want to bother putting my moisturizer on, but I made myself  :)  And, I know it's just a spray, but my skin felt so smooth and soft after spraying this.  You have to try it, seriously, have to!

Ulta 4 -  Urban Decay Electric Palette:

 Ok, I have wanted this palette for a few months now, well, since it came out.  I know...odd coming from an ultra conservative girl like me.  I mean, my mom took one look at it and said, "are you crazy?"  But, there's so much you can do with these colors!  Honestly!  Look at the colors on my hand!



Imagine these shades with brown eyes!  Or Blue...or green!  Agh!  And, to top it off, the colors have really cool names!  The colors are: Top (from left to right) - Revolt, Gonzo, Slowburn, Savage, Fringe and Bottom (from left to right) - Chaos, Jilted, Urban, Freak, Thrash.  I can't even pick a favorite yet, but I really do like Slowburn, Fringe, and Jilted so far.  Does anyone have this palette?  Don't you love it?  Did I mention that it comes with an awesome UD double-ended brush?  It does!  I know, I'm totally geekin' out, but come on!  Can you blame me?  Love, love, love!  Ok, calming down.  I will do a demo with this palette this week and show you.  I haven't had much time to play with it yet, but I will! 

Ulta 5 -  Smashbox Full Exposure Palette: 

I happened upon this palette and I think it's gorgeous!  Definitely plays up to my little subtle ways as evidenced by the color swatches on my hand.  But for real, you can do so much with these neutral colors including a day or night look or even an awesome smoky eye...right????  These are also really awesome shades for any eye shape.  Smashbox includes a "Get the Looks for Your Eye Shape" pamphlet.  It tells you the best day, night and defined look for each eye shape including the steps to achieve that look. 

 The top row includes seven shimmer shades and the bottom row includes seven matte shades.  Also included is a double-ended brush - one side for shimmer and the other for matte.  I don't believe you can go wrong with this palette.  As with the Electric palette, I'll do a review and demo using Full Exposure this coming week.  In the demo I'll include a demo of the Full Exposure Mascara that served as a bonus to this palette.  I'm pretty excited to demo this for you...I can't wait.  I'm gonna have a fun week!  Yay!!





Ulta 6 -  Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes Refill: 

These are my absolute favorite makeup remover towelettes.  They remove eye makeup in a jiffy!  I use these every single night along with my Aveeno Foaming Cleanser.  


Ulta 7 -  OPI Nail Lacquer in Black Onyx:

Don't ask...even I don't know why I'm buying black polish in the dead of summer.  All I can say is...I needed it.  Plus, I love OPI polish and you can't have enough.  And, I think it's funny that this polish is so black that you can't even see the OPI "logo" on the front of the bottle.  Yes, I'm easily entertained.   

Ulta Free Sample 1 - bareMinerals Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara:

Oh how I love free samples!  Then, you add the fact that it's a free sample of some type of cosmetic and I get all giddy!  I haven't tried this mascara yet, honestly, I don't do much with bareMinerals.  But, I will certainly try this.  The little card it came in said, "exclusive protwitst 180 degree wand:  spiraled 180 degrees to curve around lashes & coat from all angles".  And, there are "allegedly" 10 last benefits in this one mascara.  Who knows?  I'll find out though.  ;)  Those benefits are said to include:  volumizes, lengthens, thickens, separates, lifts, all-day wear, mineral fortified, smudge-resistant, resists clumps and fights flakes.  Ok, well, some time this upcoming week, I'll do a demo with ALL of these products and we'll see what happens.

Ulta Free Sample 2 - It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product :

Again, a free sample!  The salesgirl at Ulta said that this was her favorite leave-in product, so I'll have to see.  She also told me to just shampoo and condition my hair, towel dry and then spray this all through my hair and comb through.  Granted, that's exactly what it says on the back of the bottle.  Anyway, she said that it doesn't weigh your hair down, etc.  So, again, I'll have to see.  I mean, it does say "miracle leave-in product", right?  LMAO.  

  

Wal*Mart 1 - Olay Daily Moisture Body Wash:

Just like my shampoo/conditioner, I change it up with body wash all the time too.  This time it's Olay.  It doesn't list a fragrance on the bottle, but damn does it smell yummy!  I picked this one because it says there's "1 jar of moisturizer inside".  Who knows if that'll make a difference or not, but I figured I could use any additional moisturizing help during the summer.  Olay claims that this body wash visibly replenishes moisture in just one shower.  I'll be sure to let you know tomorrow if that's really the case or not.  :)  

Wal*Mart 2 - Salon Perfect Professional Nail Lacquer in Sugar Cube:

 

Yeah, again with the nail polish, I don't know...I just needed some white polish.  LOL.  This stuff seems to work the best for me.  After just two coats, it's thick and not at all sheer (I hate that with white or neutral polishes).  As with everything else in this post, I'll do a demo for you.  I promise.  


Wal*Mart 3 - Swisspers 100% Cotton Rounds :

  
Simply put, I adore these buggers!  I ran out and just needed some more.  I use them for pretty much everything.  Makeup, cleansers, toners, nail polish remover, etc.  I love the lint-free aspect.  That's it.  Don't know what else I can say about these except that they are a beauty must!  

Alrighty then!  That's all I got chicas.  I hope you enjoyed this haul.  If you have any of the products posted, please leave a comment below (or mini review).  Thanks for readin'!  

XOXO

This Month in Fitness (TMIF)

Ok, I admit, I was MIA for the entire week surrounding the 4th and I just started this blog!  My apologies, so sorry.  But, I was having good times.  

Anyway, I started a new workout routine for the month of July.  I usually mix things up each month (to keep my body guessing) unless I'm doing 90 days of P90X or 60 days of Insanity.  So, without further ado, I'm doing the following: 

AND...on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday I also do this: 

 

For the record, I am NOT a runner, I do not like doing anything even remotely close to running and that definitely includes jogging...so this is a big deal for me.  Also, I increased the incline on this...I do 3.5 on the incline.  

XOXO